Conveyer mechanism



Feb. 13, 1945.

E. N. MICHNA Y CONVEYER MECHANISM Filed Jam.` 25, 1945 www l W, 00,

IIA

INVENTOR. E61/wr TT'Y Patented Feb. 13, 1945` coNvEYER MEoHANrslvl Edward N. Miehna, DetrbitgMich.,assignmf to Evelyn Michna, Detroit, Mich.

` Application January 25, 1943, Serial No. 473,457

2 Claims. (Cl. 198-184) This invention relates to `endless belt conveyer mechanisms, and may `be considered a continua- I tion in part, of the invention disclosedin my copending application, S. N. 470,721, ledDecember An object of theinvention is to generally improve endless belt conveyers, and particularlyto improve the device ldisclosed in my cc-pending application referred to above.

The handling of` certain types of materials,

" particularly heavy materials, on anendless belt conveyer, constructed and arrangedas disclosed,

in my co-pending application, introduces certain problems of friction, which would not otherwise be present. It is therefore, one of the objects of this invention to provide a device, which will greatly overcome the friction, which is developed in such cases.

Another object `of the invention is to facilitate the travel of the conveyer belt over the direc- `tionalchange members in such manner that there is notendency for the belt to spiral on the members, as would happen when a revolving cylinder is used. I The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent as` the description proceeds, reference being made from time to time to the accompanying drawing,

,in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary, perspective `View of a `device embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line 2--2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the draw- ,I ing, it Will be understood that in the embodiment herein disclosed, my improved device consists of 2 the endless conveyer belt 'I, which is mounted and driven as disclosed in my `co-pending application indicated above.

In this embodiment my angularly positioned directional change members, 8 and 9 are cylindrical in shape and are preferably made of hard wood, and do not rotate, but are provided with a plurality of `ball bearings I0, which are ensconced in suitable sockets or raceways I I, which in turn are recessed in the surfaces of the members 8 and 9. `It will be `noted that the ball bearings I0, are permitted to rotate in their sockets,

section taken on the line 3-3 of but arenot permitted to travel laterally or longi` tudinally of the members 8 and 9. With this arrangement the surface of the belt l, is supported in anon-frictional manner, on aplurality of con- -tact members, which are free to rotate, but, which l will not imparta spiral ,motion to the belt 1.

For purposes of illustration, I show .in` Fig. l,

If the `raceways Il, extending ina circumferential direction on the member 8, whereas they extend in a longitudinal direction on the Amember 9.` In

`each instance, however, the raceways II, aretrecessed in the members 8` and 9, so that the balls IIJ extend slightly above the surfaces of the members 8 and 9; Inasmuch as the members 8 and 9 are preferably made of a hard wood, it .is a comparatively easy matter to groove them, as at I2,` and-press t the raceways I I into the grooves.`

When the raceways I I are once installed and the I belt 1 is in operating position the raceways II v ball bearings.

less belt.

cannot be dislodged, and the operation of the device tendstomake them more secure. to provide lubrication for the balls I0, I provide grease. connections I3, which connect through passageways I4, with the various balls IU. minimum of lubrication, however, is recommended because of the direct contact of the balls IIJ with the belt 1. I

It will be understood that other modications may be made in the arrangement of parts, all 1 of `which is intended to be within the contemplation of the invention and the scope of the appended claims. I Having described my' invention what I` claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a device of the character described including an endless beit and cylindrical direction change elements for said belt, the combination of a plurality of raceways positioned in the sur- `faces of said cylindricalelements, ball bearings in said raceways, `and means for lubricating said I 2. A direction change device for an endless belt conveyer, comprising a substantially cylindrical element having a plurality of ball bearingv members arranged inits surface and adapted to movably support the endless belt conveyer, and means to `lubricate the said ball bearing members from a positionbeyond the edge of the end- EDWARD N. mcHNrL In order 

